Event—Adult Education

Devils, Ghosts, and a Pint of Guinness: The Supernatural Plays of Conor McPherson

Conor McPherson has been called the finest playwright of his generation. Many of his plays focus on three topics: loneliness, shame, and drinking. Just as many of his plays emphasize the paranormal, the magical, and the mystical. This course will concentrate on McPherson’s supernatural plays...

Cost and Registration Information

Early Registration Price (August 27 at 9 am** – September 13 at 4 pm): $220
Regular Registration Price (September 13 at 4 pm – first day of class): $242

** Registration opens online at 9 am. Phone registration will be accepted starting at 10 am.

Members, seniors, and students get a 10% discount.

** This seminar has been canceled. **

Seminar Description

Conor McPherson has been called the finest playwright of his generation. Many of his plays focus on three topics: loneliness, shame, and drinking. Just as many of his plays emphasize the paranormal, the magical, and the mystical. This course will concentrate on McPherson’s supernatural plays: St. Nicholas, Dublin Carol, The Weir, Shining City, and, especially, The Seafarer. After reading these works, we will study the playwright’s most recent play, Girl from the North Country, and examine how McPherson fits into the broader Irish theater tradition.

Five sessions. E - $220, L - $242

June Sawyers has taught many courses in music, history, and theater at the Newberry. She is the founder of the Phantom Collective, an arts organization that presents dramatic readings in Chicago and the surrounding area.

Materials List

Required:

  • McPherson, The Saefearer. Theatre Communications Group, 2007. ISBN: 978-1-559363129

First Reading:

  • There is no reading assignment for the first class.

This class is part of the Newberry’s Adult Education Seminars Program. Learn more about our registration procedures.